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A STAR COMES SINGING

IX.

A Young God

I saw a young god, in a crowded corner of the heaven,
Carrying under his arm a graceful world,
As one might carry a cherished family pet
To the merciful chloroforming.

He was a handsome god, kindly and efficient,
And his soul ached at what he was about to do.
For he had poured his spirit into his world—
Love, and a craving for liberty,
And throat-tightening beauty, and many good gifts
Along with many that were evil.

But the time had come.
His world strayed bloodily too far;
It demanded too much of his spirit:
There was a bleak economy in heaven.
Lovingly and tenderly, he gave it all,
Babylon and Bethlehem, Ætna and polar sea,
Nero and Joan of Arc, Helen, Judas, and Jesus,
To merciful death.

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